wild•life \ `wild-,lif \ n : nonhuman liv… Read Full Bio ↴The Wildlife - A Biography
wild•life \ `wild-,lif \ n : nonhuman living things and esp. wild animals living in their natural environment 2 : all living things that are undomesticated 3 : a musical group from the Bay Area whose signature blend of progressive and soulful rock saved the world.
The Wildlife is a band composed of organized chaos which has made them a paradigm in this age of cool. Within an environment of perpetual change and amongst an innumerable amount of talent, The Wildlife has created a unique and popular sound that is pleasing and teasing crowds from all over. The four boy-geniuses behind The Wildlife promote a distinct sound that can only loosely be classified as “electro indie soul meets classic rock meets competitive sport”. This band will turn you on and lift you up.
The Wildlife is the charismatic Mano Dio Gracias on vocals, the beat-savvy Manny B on drums, the rocker with the heart of gold Scotty RockNRoll on guitar, and Astral Navigator on bass to complete the cosmic alignment. All members of The Wildlife are from California’s Bay Area and it was while each member was performing their own material in the countless open mic nights around San Francisco that they decided to create music collectively. Lead singer Mano Dio Gracias had composed, written, and recorded material of his own in 2004 at his home studio and with the fortuitous meetings of Manny B, Astral Navigator, and Scotty RockNRoll – he had found people who shared his musical vision. Each member has his own voice, his own sound in The Wildlife and within each song – “it’s like a machine that can only run when all four parts are running full throttle”, comments Mano Dio Gracias. “Scotty provides the details with his lead guitar work and effects noodling, Astral keeps things steady by holding down the bass, Manny provides sparks of energy on drums, and I act as the human voice of the band by telling the stories.” The band is constantly pushing the musical envelope and because of this unapologetic talent, they promote provocative music.
The band has an amazing chemistry that is self-evident in their live shows. The Wildlife have toured the Bay Area, playing venues including The Make Out Room, The Tongue & Groove, and The Bottom of the Hill and has played with fellow bands like Portland’s very own Viva Voce and Chicago’s pride Low Skies. Live shows consist of a kind of controlled chaos. The Wildlife create an environment that invites the music to pulsate throughout the body, nurturing and challenging an atmosphere of music and dance both onstage and in your head that leaves you wanting more. Mano Dio Gracias’ ethereal voice juxtaposes computer-enhanced rhythms as they intertwine and compliment the other instruments. Their influences include Radiohead, Bjork, The Beatles, soul singers, but mostly the world around them – hence their name. “All forms of life came from the same place – take away all the technology, clothing, brands, and SUVs and what do you have? Just the wildlife.”
The Wildlife has an incomparable sound that balances new age computer-rock with old school soul. Armed with humor, emotion, and above all talent, The Wildlife will capture attention, demand interest, and ultimately save the world.
http://www.agentrecords.com/media/bios/wildlife.bio.pdf
Dream On
The Wildlife Lyrics
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Liquid burning, like torch at the bottom of the sea.
Never tell me the awful things you have done for money
And dress me in the clothes of my younger days when you bury me.
'Cause it was all a bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad, bad dream
We walked to the water arms in arm as friends
But when we crossed over we were lovers swimming in the bitter end
And a valley stretched before us but the grass was laden with mines
And with every explosion came a swing of the wrecking ball of time
But it was all a bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad, bad dream
We never saw anything, it was only light reflecting
So put on a smile, when the tears start to fall
'Cause all this, all this is better than nothing
The Wildlife's song Dream On is a hauntingly beautiful narrative about two lovers, Anemone and Kerosene, who are described as "liquid burning like torch at the bottom of the sea". The lyrics suggest that their love was intense and all-consuming, but like the flame of a torch underwater, it was bound to eventually extinguish.
The lyrics also reveal the complicated nature of their relationship, as Anemone asks Kerosene to keep any horrible things he has done for money a secret from her. It is unclear whether this request is prompted by a fear of judgement or a desire to preserve the purity of their love. The line "dress me in the clothes of my younger days when you bury me" further emphasizes the theme of mortality and the singer's plea to be remembered as the person they once were.
As the song progresses, the narrative takes a dark turn as the couple walks to the water as friends but emerge on the other side as lovers. The valley they find themselves in is laden with mines, and every explosion signals the passing of time and the destruction of their love. Yet, through it all, the singer suggests that their experience was just a reflection of light without ultimately ever having seen anything.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the story of two lovers: anemone and kerosene
Let me tell you the tale of these two passionate lovers named anemone and kerosene
Liquid burning, like torch at the bottom of the sea.
Their love was so intense that it burned like a hot flame deep beneath the ocean
Never tell me the awful things you have done for money
Please don't reveal to me the horrible acts you committed in the past just for monetary gain
And dress me in the clothes of my younger days when you bury me.
When I pass away, I wish to be attired in attire reminiscent of my youthful days, fitted by none other than you
'Cause it was all a bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad dream
It was all a bad, bad, bad, bad dream
We never saw anything, it was only light reflecting
All that happened appeared to be a terrible dream, one so terrible that it persisted for several bad, bad nights. In reality, it was nothing but a mere reflection of light
We walked to the water arms in arm as friends
At the beginning, we were just friends, walking down to the water with our arms linked together
But when we crossed over we were lovers swimming in the bitter end
However, things changed when we crossed the water's edge, we became lovers, embracing the bitter end
And a valley stretched before us but the grass was laden with mines
We gazed upon a vast valley before us but the terrain was filled with dangerous landmines
And with every explosion came a swing of the wrecking ball of time
Every time there was an explosion, it felt like the destructive power of time was crushing us
So put on a smile, when the tears start to fall
'Cause all this, all this is better than nothing
When you feel like crying, try to put on a brave face and smile because something is always better than having nothing at all
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEAN MICHAEL POVINSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind